The late Alber Elbaz’ founded AZ Factory in 2021 with the vision to support independent designers and the collaboration between Richemont, Creative Academy and Accademia Costume & Moda (ACM) is giving birth to AZ ACADEMY: BUSINESS FOR DESIGNERS.

In the current context, a significant number of emerging designers who have graduated from major fashion schools are imagining their future career outside the traditional path: working in a major fashion house for years; and are considering to immediately launch their own brand. Other young talented professionals have acquired some experience working for Brands and are willing to launch their own entrepreneurial project. Others have started this journey full of critical issues for which they are not prepared.

The current system lacks educational and institutional programmes that specifically provide designers with the tools and know-how needed to turn a creative idea into a branded business offering capable of attracting investment.

The AZ ACADEMY programme is meant to merge the educational content and the professional experience to support young designers to acquire the most relevant tools to establish a brand.

The programme is thought to connect content, classes, visits, and experiences to fill the gaps and to promote the birth of new creative and industrial businesses within the international fashion system.